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Tag: NAB

  • NAB closes half of major corruption cases against politicians

    NAB closes half of major corruption cases against politicians

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has eliminated almost half of the 179 major corruption cases against famous politicians in the country.

    Multiple politicians, including Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani, and others, were facing corruption charges.

    A case related to assets beyond known means against President Asif Ali Zardari is also included in the list, but authorities acquitted him in that case.

    NAB also acquitted several individuals in major corruption cases, including former HBL head Yunus Habib, Husain Haqqani, Senator Sehar Kamran, and others.

    On the directions of the Supreme Court (SC), NAB shared details on its website in 2015, stating that almost 179 corruption cases were submitted to the apex court.

    Almost nine years later, the details in these cases showed three inquiries, four investigations, 85 undecided cases, and 87 cases closed by April 30, 2024.

    NAB closed the inquiry in July 2023 against president Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif and his brother Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a case related to abuse of power to construct a road from Raiwind to the Sharif family residence.

    In 2017, NAB closed the investigation against Nawaz Sharif in a case regarding illegal appointments in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

  • Govt tables controversial NAB & Election ordinances before NA

    Govt tables controversial NAB & Election ordinances before NA

    The federal government tabled the Election (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 and National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 on Thursday through a supplementary agenda with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) calling the move “politically motivated.”

    The amendments in the NAB law would increase the remand period from 14 days to 40 days; whereas amendments in the election law would allow the government to appoint retired judges to the election tribunals – a move already challenged in Islamabad and Lahore high courts.

    PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council Chief Whip Aamir Dogar strongly criticised the proposed ordinances saying that the government was tabling them because it was afraid of Imran Khan.

    Interestingly, Dogar pointed out that in April 2023 the PDM government reduced the period of physical remand from 90 days to 14 days but now it is trying to change its own previous amendments.

  • Khan tells Supreme Court that country under unannounced martial law

    Khan tells Supreme Court that country under unannounced martial law

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on June 6 told Supreme Court judges that the country was facing an “unannounced martial law” during the hearing of the NAB amendments case hearing.

    Khan also talked about the “victimisation” he had to face since his ouster from power in April 2022.

    The jailed PTI founder appeared before the Supreme Court’s five-member bench via video link from Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where has been incarcerated since his conviction in the Toshakhana case last year.

    The SC bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Aminuddin, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi heard the case.

    Interestingly, Khan quoted India’s example during his argument that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released on bail ahead of the Indian elections to run his campaign.

    Furthermore, Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the top court’s judgement rejecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government plea requesting the live streaming of the case saying to CJP Isa, “You wrote [in the judgment] that I did political point scoring during the last hearing. I did not get it, what political scoring did I resort to?”

    CJP replied that a judge does not owe an explanation to anyone and that he can “file a review petition.”

    Criticising alleged political victimisation, the PTI chairman suggested that the Supreme Court should appoint a NAB chairman.

    “When opposition and government fail to evolve consensus on the name of NAB chairman appointment then a ‘third umpire’ makes the decision,” he said, adding that the NAB is working under the “third umpire”.

    “Solve the problems by sitting in parliament. This country needs to move forward,” the CJP said to Khan.

  • NAB chairman apologises to victims for Bureau’s past wrongdoings

    NAB chairman apologises to victims for Bureau’s past wrongdoings

    In a welcome turn of events, present National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Lt Gen (R) Nazir Butt has started approarching those who were victimised by the watchdog to apologise for the past misdeeds of widely criticised anti-corruption institution of Pakistan.

    The NAB chairman decided to sooth the pain of the victims by meeting them personally to apologise for how the top anti-corruption body maltreated them in the past. Multiple politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen are on the list of NAB victims.

    Nazir Butt visited family members of the NAB victim who died a few years ago due to the torment of the institution’s officials.

    NAB’s new policy is completely different from what it was doing with multiple individuals a few years ago, The News reported on Friday.

    NAB is known for what is perceived as misuse of its power. The top anti-corruption body harassed multiple individuals, including politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen, by keeping them behind bars for several years without any solid evidence.

    Several individuals lost their lives under NAB’s harassment.

    A few years ago, a NAB victim, Brigadier Asad Munir was found dead in his home in Islamabad. A handwritten note was discovered near his body. The note read, “I request you, the honourable chief justice, to take notice of NAB’s officials conduct so that other government officials are not convicted for the crimes they have not committed.”

  • Imran Khan appears in court via video link

    Imran Khan appears in court via video link

    The Supreme Court (SC) has started proceedings in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan appeared before the bench via video link to present his arguments, Geo reported today. 

    Earlier in the day, arrangements were completed at Adiala jail on the order of the SC for the appearance of the PTI founder via video link.

    The Adiala jail administration informed the former prime minister about his appearance via video link in today’s hearing. The staff of the SC and jail authorities tested the video link before Khan’s appearance.

    A day earlier, Khan’s lawyers, Khawaja Haris and Intezar Panjutha, met him shortly in Adiala jail after the top court’s order to the federal and Punjab governments to give video link facility to incarcerated politician.

    “The PTI founder can present his arguments in the upcoming hearing via video link if he wishes to do so […] arrangements should be made for the presentation of arguments via video link,” Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had said Tuesday.

  • NAB clears Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, others in LNG reference

    NAB clears Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, others in LNG reference

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has cleared former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) reference on Tuesday. The court declared all other suspects innocent in the same reference.

    Abbasi was arrested by NAB in 2019 for allegedly causing a loss of 21 billion rupees to the national exchequer me

    The NAB inquiry revealed that M/S Engro was awarded the LNG terminal at Karachi Port and contracts for LNG regasification by Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) through non-transparent practices. Both Abbasi and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif faced accusations of misusing their powers in awarding these LNG contracts.

    Despite inquiries and accusations, Abbasi has maintained his innocence, stating that there were no irregularities in the LNG contract and stating the necessity of LNG exports in 2013.

  • Khawaja Asif says General Bajwa ne lamba dhoka dia tha

    Khawaja Asif says General Bajwa ne lamba dhoka dia tha

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said on Hamid Mir’s show that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa “gave an ultimatum to me that if I condemn Mian Nawaz Sharif’s narrative then all the cases of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against me would go away.”

    Hamid Mir asked the minister whether all three major parties including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz were directly involved in extending the tenure of the then-COAS, so how could he expect the establishment to stay out of politics.

    Asif replied that it was a mistake and that politicians must have a consensus on upholding the dignity of constitution of Pakistan.

    Hamid Mir inquired of the minister why he agreed to extend Gen. Bajwa’s tenure despite being threatened. The minister humorously responded that Gen. Bajwa provided ultimatums only after securing his extension successfully.

  • Zardari wants to use presidential protection in NAB cases

    Zardari wants to use presidential protection in NAB cases

    President Asif Ali Zardari has filed for Presidential immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution in two National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. The clause provides protection to high-ranking state officials from all legal proceedings in court for any action taken by them during their terms in office.

    In the Park Lane Case, Mr Zardari is accused of allegedly using his influence to extract loans from the state exchequer for dummy corporations during his term as the President from 2008 to 2013. It is important to note that Mr Zardari, along with his sister and several other business associates, are accused in this case as well. However, the Presidential immunity only protects Mr Zardari.

    The other NAB case is known as the Thatta Water Supply reference in which Asif Ali Zardari and others are accused of illegally awarding different contracts to private contractors. Zardari’s counsel emphasized that President Zardari’s status as the country’s elected head granted him immunity from legal action, thus rendering the continuation of the case against him untenable.

    The accountability court has since issued a notice to the NAB, seeking a response to Mr Zardari’s application for immunity by April 22.

    President Asif Ali Zardari has filed for Presidential immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution in two National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. The clause provides protection to high-ranking state officials from all legal proceedings in court for any action taken by them during their terms in office.

    In the Park Lane Case, Mr Zardari is accused of allegedly using his influence to extract loans from the state exchequer for dummy corporations during his term as the President from 2008 to 2013. It is important to note that Mr Zardari, along with his sister and several other business associates, are accused in this case as well. However, the Presidential immunity only protects Mr Zardari.

    The other NAB case is known as the Thatta Water Supply reference in which Asif Ali Zardari and others are accused of illegally awarding different contracts to private contractors. Zardari’s counsel emphasized that President Zardari’s status as the country’s elected head granted him immunity from legal action, thus rendering the continuation of the case against him untenable.

    The accountability court has since issued a notice to the NAB, seeking a response to Mr Zardari’s application for immunity by April 22.

  • Hassan, Hussain Nawaz are free from all cases

    Hassan, Hussain Nawaz are free from all cases

    The Accountability Court in Islamabad has taken a significant step in the cases involving Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, sons of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    The court has acquitted them in the Flagship, Al-Azizia, and Avenfield cases, which are being handled by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    Earlier, the court also suspended the perpetual arrest warrants after the voluntary appearance of the brothers before the court after reaching Lahore on March 13.

    They were received by their father, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, at his residence, Jati Umrah.

    In addition to suspending the arrest warrants, the court also granted bail to Hassan and Hussain Nawaz. As part of the bail conditions, each of them had to provide bail bonds worth Rs50,000.

    Both suspects made their appearances in court to mark their attendance. The court has summoned the NAB for the following day regarding the bail applications of the brothers. Furthermore, the court has approved their request to appoint a pleader, and they have chosen Rana Muhammad Irfan for the task.

    This decision from the accountability court comes after seven years, ever since the warrants for the brothers were issued, declaring them absconders.

  • Shahid Khaqan Abbasi hints at launching his new political party

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi hints at launching his new political party

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has hinted at launching a new political party soon, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    “We are holding consultations and groundwork is in progress for a new political party,” he told the media while arriving for a NAB hearing. “The country needs a new political party,” he said.

    The senior politician requested that the president and prime minister abolish the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as it is necessary to save the country.

    “I don’t want withdrawal of cases against me but decision on all these cases,” he said.

    Abbasi also said on a question regarding his meet-up with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawab Sharif that “I am ready to meet him, when he will summon.”